It is almost that time of year - time to make that Thanksgiving feast. You’ve got mashed potatoes, the stuffing (or dressing - call it what you want), candied yams (sweet potato casserole), green bean casserole, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, freshly baked rolls, and more. Nope, we didn’t forget the turkey. You simply cannot have a Thanksgiving without a turkey -- that is, of course, unless you are a vegan. But since you are here reading an article about different ways to cook a turkey, it should be safe to assume you intend to eat the bird. In this article, you will discover five different ways to cook a turkey. Different Ways to Cook a Turkey The turkey is one of the most significant associations with Thanksgiving. So how you cook it is a big deal. It has to taste good. It has to be perfectly juicy. Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving for the first time or looking for a new way to cook your turkey, you may find the following approaches helpful. Here are five different ways to cook a turkey. 1. The Slow Cooker Slow cookers are guaranteed to bring you juicy turkeys. Though, unless you’ve got a huge slow cooker, you may need a small turkey. Consider this method if you are working with an 8lb turkey or smaller. Spray down the inside of your slow cooker with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Add your turkey and seasonings. Put the lid on and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours. The longer it cooks, the more tender your turkey will become. And, hey - why not add some veggies or stuffing into the slow cooker, too? 2. The Instant Pot This is another turkey version for those with a small turkey, 8lbs or less. You will want to rub it down really well with oil and then add your seasonings. Place your wire rack at the bottom of your instant pot with the handles up. Pour ½ cup of water in the bottom of the pot. Once this is done, place in your seasoned turkey. Top it with the lid, securely. Pressure cook for 25 minutes. Let it do its natural release for about 10-15 minutes and then your turkey is done. Open the lid, lay your turkey out and wrap in tin foil completely. Let it sit there for a few minutes before digging in. 3. The Convection Oven Convection ovens bring up the heat from the bottom. The fans blow it all around for a nice even heat. And it makes a great way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. Put your turkey in a roasting pan, rub it with olive oil, season it well, and place in the oven at 350-degrees. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 180-degrees. The actual time frame will depend on the size of your turkey. 4. The Oven The oven is the traditional way to cook a turkey. Place your turkey in the roasting pan and baste it with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Cook in the oven at 325 degrees. The cooking time for your turkey will vary based on the size of the turkey. Just be sure to baste it regularly so that it remains moist. You want your turkey to be 165 to 180 degrees with clear juices. Let it rest for 15 minutes and then - enjoy! 5. The Air Fryer The air fryer is another option for cooking your turkey, but it has to be a very small turkey breast. Season it up, place it in an air fryer at 390-degrees for 30-35 minutes. Then, brush it with some melted butter and seasoning and place it back in at 330-degrees for 2 minutes. That’s it! How Big of a Turkey Should You Buy? When you go to purchase a turkey, you may sit there staring and pondering which one to choose because you are not sure just how many pounds you should invest in. How big (or small) of a turkey should you get? Well, it comes down to how many people are having over for Thanksgiving dinner. Believe it or not, you should buy a turkey based on one pound per person. If you are having 12 people over for dinner, then you will want a 12lb turkey. If you are hoping for leftovers or you have some really big eaters, then you will want to add a little cushion to that, say 1.5lbs per person. Thawing Your Turkey Too many people forget to thaw their turkey every year. It happens despite their good intentions. And if you have ever tried to thaw a turkey (and cook it) on the day of -- well, let’s just say... chicken, anyone? It is not going to happen. To thaw your turkey properly, you will want to put it in a cold bath for 30 minutes per pound. Switch your water out every 30 minutes or so. You want the water to be cold, even adding ice. This is easy to put in the kitchen sink or even the bathtub. Or, you can thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. Place it on a sheet pan so you can catch any liquid as the thawing begins. Be sure to allow for 1 full day in the fridge for every 5 pounds of turkey. This one is imperative to do in advance of the holiday. Preparing Your Turkey for Cooking After thawing your turkey, remove all the packing and wrapping. You will also want to remove the giblet packets inside containing the heart, neck, and gizzard. Pat the turkey dry without rinsing. You do not want to rinse your turkey in the sink as it can lead to serious contamination thanks to dripping and splashing. Besides, the bacteria you’d be trying to clean off are going to be killed once you cook your turkey. Sealing the Deal for a Great Thanksgiving There are so many things that can go wrong on Thanksgiving but there is always something to be grateful for. One of those things would be having a fantastic turkey that is going to blow the minds of all your guests. Take your time, follow the steps, add some seasonings - and it will all go well. Happy Thanksgiving!
